Paraguay vs Australia FIFA 2026 World Cup Recap: Socceroos through to knockout stages after draw
The Socceroos are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup after a nil-all draw with Paraguay in California. FOLLOW LIVE!
FIFA WORLD CUP: The eyes of Australia will be on California as the Socceroos take on Paraguay with a spot in the knockout stages on the line.
After an impressive win over Turkey, they came crashing back down to earth against the USA but still control their own fate, knowing a win or draw will get them second place and a spot in the knockouts.
A draw will likely be enough for both sides to progress, but don’t expect either side to play defensively, with both looking to avoid a likely matchup with Germany in the Round of 32.
Australia have never beaten a South American team at a World Cup and Paraguay will be a tough challenge, having beaten several giants just to qualify.
Can the Socceroos rebound to progress to the knockouts?
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Key events
26 Jun 2026 - 12:14 PM
Match Report
26 Jun 2026 - 12:05 PM
What the win means
26 Jun 2026 - 11:59 AM
AUSSIES ARE THROUGH!
26 Jun 2026 - 11:43 AM
‘80 minutes
26 Jun 2026 - 11:32 AM
Second hydration break
26 Jun 2026 - 11:08 AM
Second half underway
26 Jun 2026 - 10:53 AM
HALF TIME AUS 0 - 0 PAR
26 Jun 2026 - 10:46 AM
Six minutes of added time
26 Jun 2026 - 10:28 AM
Metcalfe kicked in the face
26 Jun 2026 - 08:59 AM
SIX changes for Socceroos, Volpato to start
26 Jun 2026 - 08:47 AM
What will be on Tony Popovic’s team sheet?
26 Jun 2026 - 08:10 AM
Early results do Socceroos no favours
26 Jun 2026 - 08:03 AM
Welcome
Beach makes a save
Poor turnover in the midfield and there’s a long-range shot from Mauricio but it’s straight at Beach who covers it.
First real chance Paraguay have created and the Socceroos can’t afford to give away the ball cheaply like that.
Irankunda goes down in the box!
But nothing doing from the referee and rightly so as Irankunda largely tripped over himself.
Yellow card of Jackson Irvine
That’s a late challenge on Ensciso and righfully gets a card.
Paraguay have also made a sub wih Mauricio Prado replacing Alexandro Maidana.
Second half underway
Will we see an upping of intensity, or will both teams play for time if it’s still a draw in the closing stages?
Half time stats
Australia have had 63 per cent possession, generating six shots with three on target, compared to Paraguay’s one.
The Socceroos have also completed more than a 100 more passes than their counterparts and won 57 per cent of their duels.
“We didn’t expect Paraguay to chagne their shape with a back five which has allowed us more time in the midfield,” assistant coach Paul Okon says.
“We need to use the ball a little bit better and not turn the ball over cheaply and we’ll make those chances.”
HALF TIME AUS 0 - 0 PAR
Australia were happy to knock the ball about to finish that half but a long ball to Volpato saw them get into the box the cross was long and headed away.
The Socceroos clearly had the better of that first half with Volpato’s strike the best chance.
Paraguay have not threatened too much up forward but they seem to be happy enough with how it’s gone so far.
Huge chance
Volapto again breaks down the right, cuts back inside and sends a shot across the Paraguayan goal where Gill is forced to make a smart save.
Six minutes of added time
Mostly down to the delay for Metcalfe, Paraguay have grown into this half will Socceroos look to just play it out?
Australia on the back foot
Paraguay are starting to exert some pressure with the Socceroos perhaps slightly too ambitious with some of their defensive passing.
However Patrick Beach has not been forced into action just yet.
Bos forces a save
He gets in behind the Paraguay defence and drives from distance but it goes straight to Gill who makes a simple save.
It was a good hit just needed to be either side of the keeper.
Originally published on The West Australian
